National Hellenic Society Takes over Yankee Baseball Stadium

BRONX, NY: . – The National Hellenic Society took over Yankee Stadium with a dedicated Greek Heritage Night on June 6. It was a lively, fun-filled evening that tied the Greek community together and promoted Hellenism through the love of one of America’s biggest sports – baseball.

Despite kicking off with minor rain showers, the event took place a little after 7 PM at the renowned Yankee Stadium, 1 East 161st Street in the Bronx, which was filled with passionate New York Yankees fans, ready to match with their rivals, the Boston Red Sox.

It was a successful game for the Yankees, as they defeated the Red Sox 9-6.

The night was not only victorious for the iconic baseball team, but for The National Hellenic Society, who received a portion of the baseball games’ ticket sales, to put towards two major initiatives supporting Greek-Americans and philhellenes from New York and beyond.

They included the Heritage Greece Program, which helps young Greek-Americans connect with their heritage through immersive trips to Greece, and Camp Saint Paul, a summer camp held by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America connecting the Greek-American youth through their faith, culture, and identity.

In addition to the funds raised from ticket sales, each purchase made through a unique link as part of the Greek Heritage Night came with an exclusive Yankees baseball cap, featuring a Greek flag on one side, and the word ‘Hellas’ on the other, to commemorate the special night.

This event further put a spotlight on Cody Bellinger, a MLB player of Greek descent, who’s father, Clay Bellinger, became very well known for playing on the Greek baseball team in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

Photo: Greek-American Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger during the game against the Boston Red Sox on Greek Heritage Night. Photo: TNH/ Evelyn Karatzas

Fellow Greek-American Yankee fans revealed the great lengths they went through to watch the game at Yankee Stadium.

“It took us an hour and a half to get here. There was traffic like I’ve never seen before, we got stuck every which way,” Yianni Kormusis from Bayside, Queens told TNH.

“We came from New Jersey, it took us about an hour/an hour and a half to get here, and we’re going to head home right after the game,” said Irene (Markoulis) Bovino, who grew up in Astoria.

The Greek baseball fans at the game expressed why they attended the game, and how they felt about attending the Greek Heritage Night and supporting the Greek community in New York.

“I’m here to support our Greek heritage and have fun at a Yankee game,” Maria Mouzakitis from Queens, NY shared.

“I love my Greek community and I’m very involved in it, and it feels so great to be surrounded by other Greeks tonight. I personally think it’s super important to have more events like this, because we need to be spending more time connecting with our fellow Greeks and really coming together as a community.”

“Coming here makes me feel like I’m at home, it feels like I’m in Greece again. I feel connected with my community,” Yianni Kormusis stated.

“Events like this are very important as they unite the youth and they’re something that the Greek community should do more, especially if it can promote our Greek heritage.”

Irene Bovino from New Jersey said she wished there were more events like this one. “We’d definitely come out to support them, we’re always happy to come and support our fellow Greeks,” Irene said.

“I love seeing the Greek flags on the Yankee hats worn by everybody tonight too, that was a really nice offering.”

MAIN PHOTO: Greek-American Cody Bellinger on the screen at Yankee Stadium on Greek Heritage Night. Photo: TNH/ Evelyn Karatzas

Source: The National Herald
Link: https://www.thenationalherald.com/national-hellenic-society-takes-over-yankee-stadium/